The president is the chief public relations officer of the institution. Although the public relations staff is responsible for interpreting the institution and its programs, it is the president who must be able to communicate to each of the publics directly. (MSE)

Guidelines are presented for the various levels of the government relations effort, minimum programs, staff responsibilities, and the role of associations. Advice on the politics of transition--as higher education moves to a lower priority in the political process--is also given. (Author/MSE)

Described is a three-day camp program where sixth-grade students were led to see the interrelatedness of various art forms--to realize that the design elements and principles working within art are related to the basic organizational tools of creative writing and music. (Author/KC)

Institutions need coordinated events programs that support institutional goals and are closely related to them, whether the objective is fund raising, student recruitment, or improvement of the college image. Carefully selected and planned events create news, affect perceptions, influence attitudes, spark emotions, and affect people's decisions…

The failure of a volunteer to perform is often due to the failure of staff to inform and manage. Ineffective volunteer management can result in the loss of qualified volunteers. Phonathons and personal area campaigns are discussed. (Author/MLW)

Alumni relations, it is suggested, must "fine tune" their alumni volunteer programs or risk misusing a unique institutional resource. The tradition of lay governance, the development of alumni relations, volunteers in alumni relations, recruiting, and the institutional image and pride of identification are discussed. (Author/MLW)

College and university fund-raisers are reminded that reunions are not only for alumni, but also for other constituencies: parents, grandparents, townspeople, local government officials, and volunteers. (MSE)

M. Cecil Mackey, the president of Michigan State University hired by the school's trustees to be a tough, hard-nosed administrator, has been the center of controversy and criticism. Feuds with the alumni association, fiscal problems, working in Washington, the Tisch amendment, and mid-year raises for faculty are discussed. (MLW)

California requirements for professional continuing education in estate law for certified public accountants, insurance agents, and attorneys are outlined. The curriculum of the American College of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania in life insurance and related financial sciences, is discussed. Available from 6285 Barfield Rd., Atlanta, GA 30328, $3.50.…

Demand for planned giving officers vastly exceeds the small supply of trained competent professionals. Personnel Decisions, Inc. overhauled a program of personnel selection and training sponsored by the Northwest Area Foundation; that program is described. Categories of job performance and profiles of behavioral characteristics for successful…

Describes Office of Education directly funded and specialized programs for special adult populations, emphasizing projects for which community colleges can readily apply. Also lists programs funded through state departments of education. (JG)

If volunteers are to be effective, they must perform needed tasks, have a clear job description, a sense of importance, a schedule for completion, and an understood term of office. Identifying, recruiting, and training fund-raising volunteers are discussed. Annual giving specialists are classified as leaders, personal solicitors, class agents,…

The practice of awarding honorary degrees by American colleges and universities is examined. Topics include the background of the practice, schools that refuse to participate, the selection process used by some institutions, possible financial and other reasons for granting honorary degrees, and benefits gained by those honored. (JMD)

Provides advice on how to instill the giving habit in recent graduates and how to encourage them to take an active part in alumni issues. Development officers need to keep track of recent alumni, use telephone and electronic mail rather than letters to contact young alumni, and develop special programs to encourage giving by recent graduates. (MDM)

College and university fund-raising programs should have a written policy to make donor thank-yous part of office routine. Reviewing existing donor files can help codify existing policy and practice. Larger offices may need policies for different gift types and sizes. Innovative ways of recognizing donors, such as special events, gifts, and…